Well, it's been a blast. We've pitched in to the golf row, divvied up the Football League revamp, and hummed along to some classic FA Cup songs.

Now it's time for the weekend. We'll see you all again when Sportsday returns on Monday with reaction to the action.

Mark Lawrenson
BBC Football Expert

Image source, Getty Images

I see Manchester United dominating possession in Saturday's FA Cup final and Crystal Palace will have to play at a high tempo to disrupt them and cause them any problems.

Palace have played on the break all season, because they have quick forwards who can be their match-winners.

But United's patient approach will not see them committing many men forward, and opportunities for Alan Pardew's side to counter-attack will be few and far between.

Read the full piece here

Ben Shires heads to Selhurst Park to get young fans' predictions on Crystal Palace's FA Cup Final against Manchester United at Wembley. Featuring a special app-EAR-rance from a certain MOTD presenter.

Head here to watch the video

Image source, WaineMay83 | Instagram

Manchester United striker Marcus Rashford has enjoyed an astonishing rise as he has gone from obscurity to an FA Cup final and a place in Roy Hodgson's provisional England squad for Euro 2016.

But it hasn't all been plain sailing for the 18-year-old.

"He had a little period, around 14 and 15, when he struggled because he grew quickly. It happens to a lot of players during growth and development. His legs were growing very long and he lost co-ordination," said Paul McGuinness, who was a coach within United's academy for 24 years until his departure in February.

"While it was happening he was frustrated because he couldn't do the things he normally would. He was a little bit sulky and a little bit moody because of it.

Read the full piece

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Mark Clattenburg will referee the FA Cup final between Manchester United and Crystal Palace at Wembley on Saturday.

The 41-year-old from County Durham was in charge of the 2012 League Cup final at Wembley when Liverpool won against Cardiff City on penalties.Clattenburg also took charge of the 2012 Olympic men's final when Mexico beat favourites Brazil at Wembley.

"It's an honour and a massive achievement," said Clattenburg, who will also oversee games at Euro 2016.

"These days you get told what games you're doing by text, but when you see a call coming in from the FA referees' department you know it's important."

Excited about the FA Cup final on Satuday and got a few hours to kill?

Watch a selection of short highlights of classic FA Cup matches from the BBC Sport archive.

Head to this page

David Ornstein
BBC Sport

Arsenal are close to completing the signing of Borussia Monchengladbach captain Granit Xhaka.

The clubs have reached an agreement on a deal reported to be worth £30m for the Switzerland central midfielder.

Xhaka, 23, has flown to London to finalise personal terms and undergo a medical, which is set to take place this weekend.

His arrival will bolster a midfield that has been depleted by the departures of Mikel Arteta, Tomas Rosicky and - possibly - Mathieu Flamini.

Image source, Reuters

Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal believes winning the FA Cup will be more memorable for his players than qualifying for the Champions League.

The Red Devils failed to secure their place in Europe's elite club competition after finishing fifth in the Premier League.

However, they have the chance to finish the season with a trophy when they play Crystal Palace at Wembley on Saturday.

"Qualification is not a title. A title is the FA Cup," said Van Gaal.

Read the full piece

Image source, PA

Crystal Palace boss Alan Pardew wants to win the FA Cup to improve the reputation of English managers.

Manchester United - managed by Dutchman Louis van Gaal - are favourites for Saturday's final against Pardew's side.

If Palace win then Pardew, who is set to sign a new contract, would be only the third English manager to lift the trophy in the Premier League era.

"It will not just be good for me and the club to win it but good for English coaches," said Pardew.

What's it like to experience a big match at Wembley Stadium?

Watch a 360-degree behind the scenes video, external produced at the home of English football.

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester United and Crystal Palace meet in the FA Cup Final this weekend - just as they did back in 1990. 

Reliving that incredible 3-3 draw are father and son duo Rob and Jakob – huge United fans from Manchester.

Head here to watch the video

It's all about lifting the trophy for Crystal Palace and Manchester United at Wembley on Saturday.

But there's a fascinating story behind who looks after the trophy.

Have a listen here to a piece on the Cup minder from the BBC World Service.

Image source, PA

Two Black Country football fans are off to the FA Cup final at Wembley on Saturday after watching every round of the competition.

Stu Wilkinson and Tom Lynn, from Bilston, started by watching Gornal Athletic v Bromsgrove Sporting in August, and have followed the winning team since.

They have been to all 14 rounds, including two replays, and visited 12 different grounds to watch 15 teams in action.

"We started off thinking 'lets go to some football games' and see where it takes us," said Stu. "We didn't expect to make it to the final but are chuffed to bits that we have."

Read the full piece

On a more poignant note, cricket lost one of its finest commentators earlier this month, with the death of Tony Cozier.

The Test Match Special team have been paying tribute. It's well worth a listen.

That Friday feeling is kicking in here at BBC Sport headquarters as we relish a weekend of top action including the FA Cup final and an intriguing Test match.

We'll also be taking you back to the Olympic Park in London as the European Swimming Championships continues.

Who better to introduce things than a two-time Olympic gold medal winner?..

We at Sportsday love nothing better than the magic of the Cup AND a dose of Friday nuptials to warm up our weekends. We're really just a couple of cuddly old romantics.

So, Andrew and Jenni, do I think we can use your tweet? I do.

Follow live radio and text commentary of the first Test between England and Sri Lanka at Headingley right here.

Image source, PA / Getty

Crystal Palace and Manchester United meet in the FA Cup final in a 17:30 BST kick-off at Wembley on Saturday - and the BBC has a whole day of programming dedicated to the event.

FA Cup specials on Football Focus, A Question of Sport and Pointless all feature.

Head here to see a rundown of the programmes

Meet Amanda Scott, who has Crohn's disease, and will be one of the thousands taking part in Sunday's Great Manchester Run.....

You can follow the action on BBC TV and also via our live text commentary. 

You can get involved and send us your Great Manchester Run stories and messages by using the hashtag #GetInspired on social media

Image source, Getty Images

Crystal Palace will play Manchester United in the FA Cup final at Wembley on Saturday and if it's anything like their 3-3 encounter in 1990 at the same stage then we're in for a treat.

Ex-Palace striker Ian Wright came on as a substitute and scored in that game 26 years ago and described it as "the greatest moment" of his life.

"I felt I was welling up - this is the greatest moment of my life, easily," he recalled. 

"Four years out of playing Sunday football I was playing at Wembley, against Manchester United and I'd come off the bench and scored." 

Hear more from Ian Wright here.